As a mentor, Abby Wasutyk has done more than just nurture a future generation of athletes, she has also benefited from the process herself. The time Wasutyk has spent coaching volleyball has provided the Prince Albert product with a revitalized outlook on her own career as a University of British Columbia (UBC) student-athlete.

“I know that at the higher levels it’s harder to come to practice every day and we have a lot of things going on in our lives, but just seeing the kids be super happy to practice once a week and have the opportunity to be in the gym with their friends; it reminds me what volleyball is about: to be with your peers getting better and supporting each other.”

As with any high-level athlete, Wasutyk has had to learn how to navigate the changing expectations. Unwittingly, Wasutyk’s time mentoring became an opportunity for her to recentre herself on appreciating the small things and focusing on taking care of herself mentally, physically and emotionally.

And with time, a cycle of inspiration developed between Wasutyk and her athletes.

“For me, having the youth look up to me gives me fuel to keep pushing myself and not give up because there are so many younger kids that look up to me and want to be where I am today.”

That mindset has led Wasutyk to perceive her roles within sport as so much more. Volleyball showed her the importance of education, leadership, community and the value of connections made both on and off the court.

For Wasutyk, the biggest objective is being able to give back to her community and its people. Currently, that looks like exemplifying what can be reached as an athlete.

“It’s so cool to me that I can be this role model for girls, especially coming out of a smaller province like Saskatchewan. There is sometimes not a lot of opportunities, especially when you come from a smaller city, but just being able to show people that coming from a smaller city or town means they can still achieve what they want and that it doesn’t define them.”

And in the process of showing just what can be achieved, Wasutyk has created quite a resume of accomplishments.

In the last two years she has added regional and national bronze medals to her collection, in addition to donning the maple leaf at the 2025 FIVB U19 World Championships in Osijek, Croatia.

To top off her accolades, she was announced as the 2026 Regional Tom Longboat Award recipient on Oct. 26, in Ottawa.

“Honestly, it feels like more of an honour than any medal has or winning any competition. Getting recognized like this, for me and my community, is so cool. Receiving this award means so much more than just our sport.”

According to Wasutyk, the award honours more than just her efforts on the court and represents where she comes from as a Métis woman.

Being able to continue on a pathway of honoring her heritage through sport is crucial to Wasutyk, and helping in that process is the Next Generation Indigenous Athlete Assistance Grant, funded by Sask Lotteries, which has provided her with financial assistance to continue following her passion.

“Receiving this grant has made a very huge difference in my journey as a student athlete. Moving away from my hometown to pursue my education and volleyball career has come with financial challenges,” shared Wasutyk. “This grant has helped take some financial stress [away] and has allowed me to focus more on my education and volleyball career.”